diff --git a/cv_analysis/table_parsing.py b/cv_analysis/table_parsing.py
index d2bd1c3..0a6ceed 100644
--- a/cv_analysis/table_parsing.py
+++ b/cv_analysis/table_parsing.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ from cv_analysis.utils.visual_logging import vizlogger
 from cv_analysis.layout_parsing import parse_layout
 
 
-def add_external_contours(image, img):
-    contours, _ = cv2.findContours(img, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_NONE)
+def add_external_contours(image, contour_source_image):
+    contours, _ = cv2.findContours(contour_source_image, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_NONE)
     contours = filter(partial(is_large_enough, min_area=5000), contours)
 
     for cnt in contours:
@@ -27,6 +27,16 @@ def add_external_contours(image, img):
     return image
 
 
+def extend_lines():
+    #TODO
+    pass
+
+
+def make_table_block_mask():
+    #TODO
+    pass
+
+
 def apply_motion_blur(image: np.array, angle, size=80):
     """Solidifies and slightly extends detected lines.
 
@@ -68,8 +78,9 @@ def isolate_vertical_and_horizontal_components(img_bin):
     img_bin_h = cv2.morphologyEx(img_bin, cv2.MORPH_OPEN, kernel_h)
     vizlogger.debug(img_bin_h, "tables01_isolate01_img_bin_h.png")
     img_bin_v = cv2.morphologyEx(img_bin, cv2.MORPH_OPEN, kernel_v)
-    vizlogger.debug(img_bin_v | img_bin_h, "tables02_isolate02_img_bin_v.png")
-
+    img_lines_raw = img_bin_v | img_bin_h
+    vizlogger.debug(img_lines_raw, "tables02_isolate02_img_bin_v.png")
+    
     kernel_h = np.ones((1, 30), np.uint8)
     kernel_v = np.ones((30, 1), np.uint8)
     img_bin_h = cv2.dilate(img_bin_h, kernel_h, iterations=2)
@@ -89,17 +100,14 @@ def isolate_vertical_and_horizontal_components(img_bin):
     vizlogger.debug(img_bin_final, "tables10_isolate12_threshold.png")
     img_bin_final = cv2.dilate(img_bin_final, np.ones((1, 1), np.uint8), iterations=1)
     vizlogger.debug(img_bin_final, "tables11_isolate13_dilate.png")
+    
+    # add contours before lines are extended by blurring
+    img_bin_final = add_external_contours(img_bin_final, img_lines_raw)
+    vizlogger.debug(img_bin_final, "tables11_isolate14_contours_added.png")
 
     return img_bin_final
 
 
-def disconnect_non_existing_cells(img_bin, bounding_rects):
-    for rect in bounding_rects:
-        x, y, w, h = rect
-        img_bin = cv2.rectangle(img_bin, (x, y), (x + w, y + h), (0, 0, 0), 5)
-    return img_bin
-
-
 def has_table_shape(rects):
     assert isinstance(rects, list)
 
@@ -158,10 +166,8 @@ def parse_table(image: np.array, show=False):
     table_layout_boxes = find_table_layout_boxes(image)
 
     image = isolate_vertical_and_horizontal_components(image)
-    image = disconnect_non_existing_cells(image, table_layout_boxes)
-    vizlogger.debug(image, "tables12_isolate14_disconnect.png")
-    image = add_external_contours(image, image)
-    vizlogger.debug(image, "external_contours_added.png")
+    #image = add_external_contours(image, image)
+    #vizlogger.debug(image, "external_contours_added.png")
 
     _, _, stats, _ = cv2.connectedComponentsWithStats(~image, connectivity=8, ltype=cv2.CV_32S)